To acquire comprehensive knowledge and skills for successfully implementing and managing agro-enterprise clusters, 28 farmer leaders from various cooperatives and associations in Palawan attended a three-day training on Agro-enterprise Clustering Approach at Dos Four Dos Integrated Farm in Brgy. Magsaysay, Aborlan Palawan on August 12-14, 2024.
The training began with an in-depth discussion of the Masagana Rice Program, where participants learned about its strategic goals and how it complements the Agro-enterprise Clustering Approach (AECA), particularly its eight steps from farmer selection to market engagement.
It also focused on explaining the three phases of AECA - Planning and Organization; Implementation; and Evaluation and Adjustment. Moreover, participants gained a clear understanding of how to organize farmers into effective clusters and the step-by-step process of preparing an agro-enterprise plan.
“Natutuwa ako sapagkat napakaganda ng pagsasanay. Lahat ay aktibo at participative, lalong-lalo na sa mga workshop activities na malaki ang naitulong upang mas higit naming maintindihan ang mga paksa. Mas higit kong naintindihan ang pag-compute ng total expenses pagdating sa produksyon ng isang commodity. Gayundin, hindi lang tayo dapat mag-focus sa isang negosyo; maaari rin tayong mag-explore ng iba pang mga oportunidad para sa isang cluster.” Mr. Juvin Kieth P. Gapulao, member of the Jesus The Devine Sone Academy Inc., shared.
The training concluded with a shared commitment to apply the concepts learned and to collaborate closely with local government units and other stakeholders to support the broader goals of the Masagana Rice Program.
